Switch plate



Jan, 6. 1925.

H. S. YOUNG SWITCH PLATE Filed Sept. 14

is liable to be aected by Patented Jan. 6, 1925.

umn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD SPEAR YOUNG, 0F CROCKEIT` CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONELHALF TO CHARLES PETERSEN AND ONE-SIXTH TO ANNA C. YOUNG, BOTH OF SAN FRAN- CISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SWITCH PLATE.

Application led September 14, 1920. Serial No. 410,229.

To all 'whom t 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, HAROLD S. YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Crockett, in the county of Qontra Costa and State of California, have Invented certain new and useful improvements in Switch Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch plates and the primary object of the inventionls to provide a plate or cover for wall push button switches, which can be readlly and easily cleaned, one that will not tarnish and one that will present a novel and pleasing appearance to the eye. u

Another object of the invention is-to provide an improved switch plate. constructed of glass and having a suitable opaque backing therearound, so that the 1nterior mechanism of the switch will not be exposed to view.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide a switch plate constructed of insulating material, so that the passage of electric currents therethrough is prevented thereby rendering the use thereof particularly adaptable in places where the switch moisture, such as in lavatories, and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved switch plate having a transparent body provided with an opaque background, which can be either of a reflecting substance such as quick silver, so that a silver appearance will be presented or which can be of paint' of any desired color, that may be desired which will harmonize with the color scheme of a room, where the same is to be used.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved switch plate having a suitable luminous indicating mark thereon, so that the switch buttonscan be readily found at night time.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide an improved switch plate of the above character, which will be durable and eHicient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and onel which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

l/Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described,

claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which drawing,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved switch plate.

Fig. y2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same.

' Fig. 3 is a similar section taken through a slightly modified form of the switch plate.

Figure 4. is a fragmentary perspective view of the interior portion of the switch plate of the type illustrated in Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the switch plate, of the type illustrated in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved switch plate, which includes a substantially rectangular body plate 10, which is formed of glass, or other suitable hard transparent material. 10 is provided with outwardly extending marginal flanges 11 which are adapted to engage the outer surface'of the wall around a wall switch, so as to space the plate awayfrom the switch, but if so desired, the marginal flanges 1l may be eliminated and simply a flat base plate provided. The outer surface of the plate at its edges, is preferably bevelled, as at 12, so as to present a pleasing appearance to the eye. A pair of spaced apertures 13 is provided at the longitudinal center of the plate and these apertures are adapted to receive the usual push buttons of the switch. If so desired these apertures may be counter sunk in the usual manner, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing. Relatively small apertures 14 are provided in the plate sides of the apertures 13 and these relatively small apertures are also in alignment with the longitudinal center of the plate and are adapted to receive the usual retaining screws utilized for holding the .plate in posit-ion. lf so desired these apertures may also be counter sunk, as shown in ,Figure 2 of the drawing. It is also desirable, that these apertures 14 be provided with a suitable cushioning gasket 15, such as rubber, felt or the like, so as to prevent the cracking of 1the plate, if the screws are adjusted too tig t.

The rear surface of the plate 10 is pro- The plate on the opposite vvided with a background 16 which is pref- This background 16 can however be of `paint, of any suitable color. If the background is of paint, the switch plates of the desired color can be chosen which will harmonize with the color scheine of a room, in which they are to be used.

To protect the background 16 from becoming scratched, or marred, it is preferred, that a suitable coating of shellac 17, or other protecting material, such as wax or'the like be placed on the outer surface of the backing as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing.

To facilitate the finding of a push button in the dark, the plate 10 is provided above the apertures 13 for the buttons, with a recess 18 inits inner face and this recess is adapted to be coated with a suitable luminous paint 19. This recess 1S is shown relatively deep, so that the luminous substance will be relatively near`the front surface of the plate. The reflecting material is placed in rea-r of the luminous paint, so as to provide a reflecting surface for the same, as it has been found that when a reflecting background is provided for the luminous paint, that the life and brilliancy thereof is considerably enhanced. This recess as shown is in the form of' an arrow, but it is to be understood that the same may be of any desired shape or configuration. I -also\do not limit myself to the exact position of therecess and luminous paint, as it is to be under: stood that the same could be put between the apertures 13, or below the lowermost 'aperture 13, and may be in the shape of a straight horizontal line.

nasales `In Figure 2 of the drawing, the rear surface of the body plate 10 is provided with nipples 20 and 2,1 around the openings 13 and 14 and these nipples extend flush with the outer surface of the marginal flanges 11 and arc adapted to engage the switch not shown, so as to form a suitable support for the center portion of the body and thus prevent breaking thereof.

In Figure 3 of the drawing, the nipples 20 and 21 are eliminated and if desired transversely eigtending resilient shock absorbing pads 22 may be provided. These pads can be formed of any preferred material, such as rubber, felt, cork or the like and are located adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the plate l() and between the apertures 13. These resilient pads are adapted to project slightly beyond the flanges 11 and are adapted to be compressed when the plate is placed in position.

From the foregoing, itcan be seen that an improved switch plate has been provided of exceptionally simple and novel construction, which will present a pleasing appearance to the eye and which will present a hard nontarnishing surface to view.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention, but what I claim as new is,

A face plate fora switch box comprising a transparent ,plate-like main body, having a switch push button aperture therein, and

a recess open-to its rear surface and defining an indicator positioned adjacent the opening, a luminous substance filling said recess, an opaque decorative coating upon the rear surface of said main body and coveringsaid luminous substance, and a protecting coating covering said opaque decorative coating.

HAROLD lSienna YOUNG. 

